Killer Flu Expected to Hit Waikato This Winter

A killer flu is expected to strike New
Zealand this year and doctors are warning it is a deadly
serious virus.

Waikato DHB medical officer of health Dr
Felicity Dumble says she is concerned about the flu strain which saw 64 children die in
the United States from influenza-associated illnesses during
their winter.

Coupled with that, Waikato is seeing
increasing cases of pertussis (whooping cough). The latest Public Health Bulletin shows Waikato had
63 reported cases in February, up 41 on the same month last
year with 124 year to date since 1 July.

Of the 163
notified cases since 1 January 2012, 57 were from Hamilton,
12 from Matamata Piako, seven from Hauraki, nine from
Otorohanga, three from Ruapehu, eight from South Waikato, 22
from Thames Coromandel, 16 from Waikato district, 16 from
Waipa and three from Waitomo.

"We had the second highest
notification rate in New Zealand last month," said Dr
Dumble.

"We encourage pregnant women to ask their doctor
about the free pertussis vaccine when receiving their
influenza vaccine. Both vaccines are recommended and funded
for pregnant women, as the viruses cause high risk to mother
and baby and are circulating at epidemic levels."

The
National Influenza Specialist Group (NISG) and national
District Health Boards (DHBs) advise that influenza
vaccinations are the most effective way to fight the
epidemic levels of infection that struck the Northern
Hemisphere winter.

“No matter how fit and healthy you
are, we are all at risk of catching this disease,” said Dr
Dumble.However, elderly and very young patients were
particularly vulnerable in the United States this season.

People 65 and over accounted for more than half of all
reported influenza-associated hospitalisations– the
highest number since records began in 2005. The next highest
group were children under four years olds.

“The timing
of New Zealand's influenza season is unpredictable but we
may see the disease arriving earlier than usual as has
happened in the Northern Hemisphere," said Dr
Dumble.Fortunately the New Zealand vaccines for 2013
cover the virus strains causing problems in the Northern
Hemisphere and most likely to affect us this year.

"Influenza vaccination is the best way to reduce your
risk of catching this disease and lessen symptoms and
complications if you do," said Dr Dumble.

She warned being
fit and healthy cannot prevent the flu. Immunity to a
particular strain of the virus only occurs if you have had
it before.

The 2013 vaccine has just arrived in GP
surgeries across the country and immunisation is free from a
GP or nurse for New Zealanders at high risk of complications
- pregnant women, people aged 65 and over, and for people of
any age with long-term health conditions.

“It takes two
weeks to develop immunity following vaccination so being
vaccinated before the season starts will gain you the most
benefit,” said Dr Dumble.

The influenza vaccine is safe
and effective and can reduce illness and respiratory
diseases which are deadly for some pregnant women.

As
well as getting an influenza vaccination, NISG and national
DHBs urge protection is heightened by:

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